Hay Street - Haymarket - Chinatown - Sydney - New South Wales

Hay Street - Haymarket - Sydney - New South Wales 

 

Queen Victoria Building - George Street, York Street, Market Street

The Queen Victoria Building 

The Queen Victoria Building Was Designed By City Architect George McRae, As Sydney's Central Markets, & Was Constructed Between 1893 And 1898. Being Planned &
erected At The Height Of The Reign Of Queen Victoria and It Was Named In Her Honour & In Celebration If Her Golden Jubilee In 1887 & Diamond Jubilee In 1897
The Site Is Bound By George Street, Market, York & Druitt Streets


The Plan Of The Building Was Direct & Simple; A Long Rectangle at a Which An Entry Was Provided At Each End & At The Centre  Of Each Long Side. The Markets Occupied The Basement & Were Serviced By Stairs & A Hydraulic Lift. There Were Shops & Apartments On The Ground & a First Floors, Warehouses, Showrooms & An Art Gallery On The Second, & Further Apartments & A Photo Gallery on
The Third Floor. 
At The Northern End Of The Building, Extending Through Several Storeys, Was A Large Hall Used For Concerts & Balls. 

In 1910 The City Markets Were Transferred Southwards To An Area Still Referred As The Haymarket, & The Queen
Victoria Building Was Subjected To An Unfortunate Successions Of Alterations Which
drastically Changed Its Architectural Character. 
Major Transformation Of The Interior If The Building were Made Between 1917
And 1930. The Original Gallery Was Destroyed & The Building
was Robbed Of Its Splendid Interior. The Glass Roof, No Longer Used For Light, Was Replaced By Galvanised Iron. 
In The 1950's, The City Council Contemplated Demolishing It & There Was Little Evidence Of Public Opposition.

By  
The Architectural style Chosen By George McCrae For His
markets Building Became Known As American Romanesque
The design & Erection Of The Queen Victoria Building a Was A Major Architectural Achievement, The More So When Considered In relation To The Depressed State Of the Australian Economy. 





By Good Fortune The Queen Victoria Building is Grouped With Its  Victorian Fellows - The Sydney Town Hall - & St Andrews Cathedral.

Romanesque, Neo Classic And Gothic Styles Merge Under The Influence

Fine Craftsmanship In Stone, Has Rarely Been More Lavishly
employed In Australia for This Late Victorian Building


Another Example Of The Work George McCrae Is This Red Brick
Building  In Hay Street Sydney. 
A Third Building Built By
McCrae, The Eastern Market Stood In Forbes Street Woolloomooloo, But Has Since Been Demolished. 
Such a Multiplicity Of Copper Domes, The Green  their Patina Varying In Intensity With Changing Moisture Or Light. The Building Can Boast Some Twenty Domes. 

The External Surface Of The Sandstone Shell Is Elaborately Decorated. Despite The Variety Of Elements Which Make The Expansive Facades - Windows & Door Openings In A Great Range Of Sizes & Groupings, Intricate & Ornate Mouldings, Projecting Bays & Recesses, Curbed & Square Wall Surfaces - There Is Consistency Of a Decoration Which Contributes To Rather Than Detracts From The Visual
unity As A Whole

The Queen Victoria Building (QVB) is a majestic and historic shopping center located in the heart of Sydney, Australia. It stands as a testament to the city's rich architectural heritage and has a fascinating history. Here's an overview of the history of the Queen Victoria Building:

Construction and Purpose:

• The Queen Victoria Building was constructed in the late 19th century, between 1893 and 1898.
• It was designed by architect George McRae in the Romanesque Revival style, reflecting the architectural trends of the time.

Named in Honor of Queen Victoria:

• The building was named in honor of Queen Victoria, who ruled the British Empire for over six decades.
• Its design incorporated various elements and symbols associated with the Victorian era.

Market and Shops:

• The QVB was originally built as a market hall and housed a wide range of shops, vendors, and traders.
• The central dome area, known as the "Domes," was particularly grand and impressive, with a glass roof allowing natural light to illuminate the interior.

Transformation and Decline:

• In the early 20th century, the QVB underwent various changes and renovations, including modifications to the interior layout.
• Over time, the market's popularity declined, and the building faced challenges due to changing shopping trends and economic shifts.

Threat of Demolition:

• By the mid-20th century, the QVB was facing the possibility of demolition due to proposals for urban redevelopment.
• However, public outcry and preservation efforts led to the building being saved from destruction.

Restoration and Revival:

• In the 1980s, the QVB underwent a significant restoration effort that aimed to restore its original grandeur while adapting it to modern retail needs.
• The restoration work included repairs to the structure, refurbishing of decorative elements, and updates to ensure safety and accessibility.

Reopening as a Shopping Center:

• In 1986, the Queen Victoria Building reopened as a modern shopping center with a mix of high-end boutiques, specialty stores, cafes, and restaurants.
• It became a popular destination for both locals and tourists, offering a unique shopping experience within a historical setting.

Heritage Status and Recognition:

• The QVB is listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register and holds significance as an architectural masterpiece and a reflection of Sydney's history.

Today, the Queen Victoria Building stands as a beautifully restored and thriving shopping center that seamlessly blends historical charm with contemporary retail offerings. It remains an iconic landmark in Sydney, embodying the city's cultural heritage and architectural excellence

George McCrae - New South Wales Colonial Architect - Sydney Municipality Building

Sydney Municipality Building

This Building Waa Designed By The colonial architect George McCrae And Was Built In 1896. He Had Been Appointed As The Head Colonial Architect For The City Of Sydney During The Golden Era Of the Victorian Era. 

George McCrae Was Also The Architect behind The Design Of The queen Victoria Building. & Would You believe  He Wet as Far As Designing Four Different Styles For The "Queen Victoria Markets" Which We Now Call The Queen Victoria Building 
George McCrae Did A Gothic Revival, Queen Anne Style,  Renaissance & Romanesque. I wonder where His Other versions  Of The Queen Victoria Building Are Ok If They've Ever Seen the Light When The  Romanesque Style Was Decided Upon.